Sports

Texas Tech Lady Raiders Basketball Season Opener Preview

Graphic of Lady raider basketball player getting ready to shoot a free throw
Graphic by Campus Live staff

Texas Tech Lady Raiders Basketball Starts Their Season This Week

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders season opener starts on Thursday, November 11, against Southeastern Louisiana at home at the United Supermarkets Arena. 

Nonconference Preview

The Lady Raiders look to improve their 10-15 record from last season. With most of their key players returning, the team hopes to bounce back and dominate this year. 

In addition, the team will host four straight home games in November, then head to Katy, Texas, for the Van Chancellor Classic to finish out the month of November. 

TTU Key Players

After transferring from Oklahoma State, Senior Vivian Gray brought a lot of excitement to the team last season. She has already earned her third Preseason All-Big 12 honor of her career. Similarly, she was selected to the Cheryl Miller Award watch list. 

Gray was a unanimous preseason choice after she earned her third straight First Team All-Big 12. She finished fourth in the conference in the 2020-21 season. In addition, she scored 19.8 points per game, eighth in rebounding with 8.2 per game, 10th in field goal percentage of .438, and lastly fifth in blocked shots of 1.6 per game. 

Transfers 

Similarly, the Lady Raiders head coach Krista Gerlich announced the transfer of Junior Tatum Veitenheimer from Oklahoma. 

Veitenheimer averaged 3.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game during her three years at Oklahoma. 

Another transfer from Arkansas, Senior Taylah Thomas, joins the Lady Raiders for her first season. During her time in Arkansas, she helped them make an appearance at the NCAA Tournament in 2021. 

In Thomas’ last season with the Razorbacks, she averaged 4.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. She appeared in all 28 games and had a 49.4 field goal percentage on the year.

Freshmen

Furthermore, the team is bringing in more newcomers who are pretty experienced. Saga Ukkonen from Finland played with the Helsinki’s FBA Märsky club team. During her 2019-20 season, she averaged 8.8 points, 1.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. 

A returning freshman for TTU, Khadija Faye appeared in 19 games and started the last 15. She was ninth with 1.1 blocks per game in the conference. Similarly, she was third among the Big 12 freshmen in rebounding. 

Furthermore, it looks like the Lady Raiders have a lot of players who can push the team to a top 25 ranking, top three in the Big 12, and make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. 

Lady Raiders Season Opener vs. Southeastern Louisiana Preview 

The Lady Raiders have the advantage on their side for their season opener. TTU has a three-game winning streak against Southeastern Louisiana. 

The teams first faced off in 1977, and the Lady Raiders won 70-54. Next, they played in 2000 when TTU dominated, winning 94-37. Lastly, they most recently played in 2015, and the Lady Raiders defeated again 113-51.

Furthermore, the Lady Raiders are looking to win the game and set the tone for the rest of their season. 

Keep watch to see the Lady Raiders basketball team start their season. You can buy your tickets and view the schedule for any home game at TexasTech.com. General admission is $8 and $10 for the entire internet price. You can also watch the games on ESPN+.

Check out the Texas Tech men’s basketball season preview.

Story by Campus Live Intern Kaelea Pena

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